Device and method for adjusting a wheelchair leg rest

ABSTRACT

A device for adjusting a wheelchair leg rest, includes a supporting column to the upper end of which is attached a forward, upper part of a wheelchair and to the lower end of which is attached a footrest, wherein at least a lower part of the supporting column is hinge-connected at a link, and where to the lower part of the supporting column, at a distance from the link, there is attached a first, preferably circular-arc-shaped part having a plurality of adjustment holes arranged along a circular arc with origo at the pivotal point of the link, and where to a forward, lower part of the wheelchair there is attached a second, preferably circular-arc-shaped part for locking cooperation with the first part, a plurality of adjustment holes also being provided on the second part along a similar circular arc as for the first part, and where the locking advantageously is effected by a locking bolt passed through two adjustment holes on their respective parts aligned with each other by turning the lower part of the supporting column about the link.

The present invention relates to a device and method for adjusting a wheelchair leg rest. More, specifically, the invention relates to a device and a method as disclosed respectively in the preambles of claims 1 and 8.

The device according to the invention is an improvement of an existing known solution, and can far more easily be adjusted to the needs of different users as regards adjustment of the leg angle of the leg rest. Traditionally, this is often solved by offering different leg rests mounted at fixed angles. This means that the whole leg rest must be changed in order to change the desired angle. Legs rests that give fixed angles of 70°, 80° or 90°, measured from the horizontal plane down to the leg rest (see FIG. 1), are often used.

As examples of prior art in the field, mention may also be made of U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,605 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,261, which describe almost identical solutions for changing the angle of the foot/leg rest, both of which are far more complex than the solution according to the invention. The upper end of the rest is hinge-attached to the other parts of the wheelchair, and at a distance below the hinge point, there is mounted on the rest a toothed rack-like device having a circular arc form. The toothed rack is intended to cooperate with a locking device that is fixed to the other parts of the wheelchair, and the locking device comprises a mechanism in the form of teeth or the like for engagement with the teeth on the toothed rack, and also a mechanism for side shifting the toothed rack so that it disengages from the teeth in the locking device. In this position, the desired angle for the rest can be adjusted in steps, and once the desired angle has been found, the locking mechanism effects side shifting of the toothed rack so that it re-engages with the teeth in the locking device.

The device and the method according to the invention are characterised by the features disclosed in the characterising clauses of claims 1 and 8 respectively.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows different leg rests with fixed angles according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows an angle-adjustable leg rest according to the invention set at different angles;

FIG. 3 shows the leg rest in FIG. 2 mounted on a wheelchair and set at different angles; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective detailed view of the leg rest and the wheelchair shown in FIG. 3.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, there is shown a device 1 for adjusting the leg rest of a wheelchair in accordance with the present invention.

Referring in particular to FIG. 4, the device 1 comprises a supporting column 2 to the upper end 3 of which is attached a forward, upper part 4 of a wheelchair and to the lower end 5 of which is attached a footrest 6. The supporting column 2 further comprises an upper 2′ and a lower 2″ part which are hinge-connected at a link 7. To the lower part 2″ of the supporting column 2, at a distance from the link 7, there is attached a first, preferably circular-arc-shaped part 8 having a plurality of adjustment holes 9 arranged along a circular arc with origo at the pivotal point of the link 7. To a forward, lower part 10 of the wheelchair there is attached a second, preferably circular-arc-shaped part 11 for locking cooperation with the first part 8, a plurality of adjustment holes 9 also being provided in the second part 11 along a similar circular arc as for the first part 8, and where the locking advantageously is effected by a bolt 12 passed through two adjustment holes 9 on their respective parts 8, 11 aligned with each other by turning the lower part 2″ of the supporting column 2 about the link 7, and where the bolt is locked with a nut 13.

The angle adjustment of the device 1, as can be seen, is not stepless, but has predetermined angles of, for example, 70°, 80° or 90°, measured from a horizontal plane through the link 7 and down to the second part 2″ of the supporting column 2. This can be seen in particular from FIG. 2. Thus, fixed, predefined angles for a user's leg are obtained.

In a non-illustrated alternative embodiment, the locking bolt 12 is locked in threads provided in the adjustment holes 9 instead of using a locking nut 13.

In another non-illustrated alternative embodiment, the link 7 is arranged at the junction between the forward, upper part of the wheelchair 4 and the supporting column 2.

The aforementioned directional indications “upper”, “lower”, “forward” etc. are merely intended for descriptive purposes, and should by no means be regarded as limiting for the invention. 

1. A device (1) for adjusting a wheelchair leg rest, comprising a supporting column (2) to the upper end (3) of which is attached a forward, upper part (4) of a wheelchair and to the lower end (5) of which is attached a footrest (6), wherein at least a lower part (2″) of the supporting column (2) is hinge-connected at a link (7), characterised in that to the lower part (2″) of the supporting column (2), at a distance from the link (7), there is attached a first, preferably circular-arc-shaped part (8) having a plurality of adjustment holes (9) arranged along a circular arc with origo at the pivotal point of the link (7), and where to a forward, lower part (10) of the wheelchair there is attached a second, preferably circular-arc-shaped part (11) for locking cooperation with the first part (8), a plurality of adjustment holes (9) also being provided in the second part (11) along a similar circular arc as for the first part (8), and where the locking advantageously is effected by a locking bolt (12) passed through two adjustment holes (9) in their respective parts (8, 11) aligned with each other by turning the lower part (2″) of the supporting column (2) about the link (7).
 2. A device according to ciaim 1, characterised in that the locking bolt (12) is locked with a nut (13).
 3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the locking bolt (12) is locked in threads provided in the adjustment holes (9).
 4. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the link (7) is arranged at the junction between the forward, upper part of the wheelchair (4) and the supporting column (2).
 5. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the link (7) is arranged between an upper (2′) and lower (2″) part of the supporting column (2).
 6. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that three adjustment holes (9) are arranged on each of the respective parts (8, 11).
 7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that the angle adjustment of the device (1) is carried out at predetermined angles of 70°, 80° and 90°.
 8. A method for angle adjustment using a device (1) according to claim 1, characterised by bringing two selected adjustment holes (9) on respective parts (8, 11) into alignment with each other by turning at least the lower part (2″) of the supporting column (2) about the link (7); and passing a locking bolt (12) through the two aligned adjustment holes (9) for locking the respective parts (8, 11) together.
 9. A method according to claim 8, characterised by locking the locking bolt (12) with a nut (13).
 10. A method according to claim 8, characterised by locking the locking bolt (12) in threads provided in the adjustment holes (9). 